The latest findings from the largest European project in the emerging science of wastewater drug analysis have been presented by the Europe-wide SCORE group, in association with the EU Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). The project analysed wastewater in over 50 European cities in 18 European countries in March 2016, in order to explore the drug-taking behaviour of their inhabitants.
From London to Nicosia and from Oslo to Lisbon, this European multi-city study investigated the presence of cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine and ecstasy in sewage (urban wastewater). Through the analyses, backward calculations established the consumption habits of these illicit drugs by the population served by the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), approximately 25 million European citizens, over a one-week period. The results provide a valuable snapshot of the drug flow through the cities involved, revealing marked geographical variations.
Nireas International Water Research Centerof the University of Cyprus has contributed to this effort being the laboratory analysing the urban wastewater in Cyprus.
Read the News release from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction by clicking HERE
